An 18-month-old baby in Arizona, who had been pulled unconscious from the family’s pool, was found alive at the morgue nearly six hours after being officially pronounced dead.

On February 8, the child was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him dead, despite two police officers noting that he showed signs of life.

The hospital’s medical staff dismissed their concerns, arguing that the toddler’s body was simply reacting to the previous resuscitation efforts. In fact, one police officer attempted to approach the doctor who had pronounced the child dead, but the doctor ignored him, stating that the officer lacked the necessary knowledge.

“He arrogantly told me that he was the doctor, that he had a medical degree, that he went to medical school for a reason, and that I should let him do his job,” he stated in his report. A police officer also heard a nurse say that the child had a pulse.

Despite the signs of life that, according to the police officers, the toddler exhibited for about another hour, the doctor proceeded to officially certify his death.

The officer wrote in his report that he could see and hear air coming out of the child’s body and that it appeared to him as though the child was trying to breathe.

Even after the child was transported to the morgue, the police officer reported seeing the child breathe again.

“I observed again what appeared to be either an attempt to take a breath or an exhalation of air, nearly an hour later,” the police report states.

In audio recordings, the police officer informs the family that they will have to say goodbye to the child.

A few hours later, the medical examiner who arrived to collect the body determined that the child had a weak heartbeat, and the toddler was immediately transported by helicopter to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he received intensive care.

The hospital’s statement

“This is a heartbreaking case,” Mercy Gilbert Medical Center said in a statement.

“We immediately launched a thorough review of all aspects of the care provided to determine what happened and to implement meaningful changes that will strengthen our services. Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot provide further details. We continue to work closely with the family and their legal representative. “Patient safety and the provision of exceptional care are our top priorities,” the statement also notes.

According to the GoFundMe campaign launched by the child’s family, the initial diagnosis on February 9 was very grim. His vital organs were gradually failing, and doctors reported that he had suffered severe brain damage. However, a few days later, a new MRI scan showed that there was no brain damage, only a minor injury, which the child’s developing brain is expected to compensate for.

The baby’s recovery will be a long process

Despite this positive development, the family reported that the child will require a long recovery, extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring, and support for the full recovery of his organs.

In an update on February 14, they announced that the baby was still on a ventilator, while medical staff referred to him as a “miracle baby.”

Finally, it should be noted that the family is under scrutiny by the authorities. The police recommended to the prosecutor’s office that charges be filed against both parents for child abuse, as toxicology tests showed they tested positive for THC, while the officers who arrived at the home reported a strong smell of marijuana in the garage. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the recommendation, though no decision has yet been made regarding whether to file charges.

Source: iefimerida.gr